Exploration Portable Life Support System Hatch Component Implementation and Testing

Abstract

NASA has plans to go back to the Moon. In order to do this, a new spacesuit is being designed for microgravity, cislunar, and lunar surface exploration. The design for the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) is in continuous development and many previous gaps in technologies have begun initial development. Various Exploration Portable Life Support System (xPLSS) components within the Hatch had been at a stall in technology development for many years, specifically the Feedwater Supply Assembly, Trace Contaminant Control System, and the thermal loop filters. A previous paper outlined the challenging requirements and initial design of these components. The advancement of each of these components is relevant not only to the xEMU, but also to the International Space Station, Gateway, and commercial space businesses. As the xPLSS is being designed, built, integrated, and tested at the NASA Johnson Space Center, technology solutions will have a direct incorporation path as the xPLSS is matured to meet design and performance goals. This is a follow on paper to discuss the initial implementation of the hatch component designs, changes due to existing challenges, and performance results of these components as the xEMU project completes the first phase towards flight, known as Design Verification Test (DVT).